Brazil Expands Scientific Connectivity and Launches Strategic Data Platform to Boost Research

Brazil is advancing its scientific infrastructure significantly in 2026 through major initiatives led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). The federal government is expanding high-capacity fiber optic networks to interconnect 1,600 campuses and research institutes, benefiting around 180,000 researchers across 3,800 postgraduate programs nationwide. This effort includes the innovative Programa Norte Conectado, which activates a 770-kilometer underwater fiber optic route in the Amazon region, enhancing data transmission speeds for remote areas and supporting telemedicine services for indigenous and riverside communities.

A key development is the e-Science Network, linking 12 scientific institutions to provide dedicated high-capacity data access, with the National Center for Energy and Materials Research (CNPEM) expected to be operational by June 2026. These connectivity upgrades resemble urban express lanes, vastly improving the capacity for research data transfer compared to mobile internet service.

In addition to infrastructure expansion, Fundação João Pinheiro launched the Mapa Brasil C&T platform on May 14, 2026, a national strategic data platform aggregating over 600 indicators spanning 30 years in Science, Technology, and Innovation (CT&I). Funded through Fapemig and the HubMG Gov program, this platform consolidates data from diverse official sources, enabling interactive visualization and analysis of five strategic dimensions: scientific production, qualified human resources, infrastructure, technology transfer, and financing of CT&I.

Lucas Mendes, Subsecretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted that the Mapa Brasil C&T platform is designed to improve public policies by enhancing access and transparency for both governmental and private sectors. Luciana Lopes, president of Fundação João Pinheiro, described the platform as an innovative tool providing a comprehensive view of Brazil’s scientific ecosystem, facilitating resource allocation and policy decisions. Gustavo Cançado from Fapemig noted its role in supporting future planning.

Together, these projects mark a transformative phase in Brazil’s scientific landscape, improving research capabilities, fostering innovation, and enabling broader societal impacts such as enhanced telemedicine. The platform will further introduce a Ranking Brasil de C&T later in 2026 to compare states based on synthesized indicators, supporting continued evidence-based decision-making across the country.